Now You See Me getting a sequel

August 9, 2013 - By Andrew Shuster

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer has announced a 2014 production start on a follow-up to this year’s sleeper hit Now You See Me, about a group of bank robbing magicians. The film has grossed $233 million worldwide against a budget of $75 million, all the more impressive when you consider that movies about magic are usually DOA at the box office. Not to mention, the film has yet to open in China, Australia, and Japan, so that worldwide take will continue to grow.

Now You See Me stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Michael Caine. It’s unknown at this time which members of the ensemble cast will be returning for the sequel. Louis Letterier (Clash of the Titans, The Incredible Hulk) directed the film, and it also remains to be seen if he will return.

More and more, movie studios are relying on international box office for profits as opposed to domestic. While the movie took in a not too shabby $115 million in the U.S., it’s $119 million (and counting) gross overseas solidified the sequel plans. On that regard, Feltheimer had this to say, “This is a perfect example of how we’re benefiting from the unique international infrastructure of output deals, joint ventures and self-distribution we’ve set in place to maximize value and minimize risk.”

Domestically, Now You See Me has outgrossed The Hangover Part III, Oblivion, The Lone Ranger, White House Down, A Good Day to Die Hard, and AfterEarth, to name a few. Had someone told you that a year ago, you’d swear they were insane.

Stay tuned as news develops on the sequel, including a title announcement. How about Now You Don’t?